The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-03-05
BOB'S WIFE

+ well, mother, what are you think
ling about so earnestly ?''
Mrs. Lathrop stood looking out in
10 the hazy glow of the distance.
lwhen her husbands voice called her
pack into the world of the real and
the present.
Thinking about, George? 1 was
thinking of the old story-books l
used 10 read when l was child. of
/ the good fairies who granted wish
70 mortals. wish l could have one.'
'And what would it he ?"
"That our Robert would marry
Kitty Bruce instead of that book
writing girl up in Boston ~
"Perhaps he will ~
I "There are no hopes of that, am
afraid !"
1 Mr.. Lathrop laughed good. d.humor-
'sdly.
~ Never mind. wife," he said !;
''love is like the wind-you can't
tell how or when it comes, and can't
bind it with chains, whether of steel
or gold! Leonora Wyie may make
him good wife. for all we know.
Mrs. LatIlrop shook her head de-
spondingly. IL have written to hin.
and told him just how we feel about
it," she said; but Bob was always
wilful and set in his way. Our only
son, too. George-that's what makes
me feel so bad !"
And Mrs. Lathrop wiped away
big drop that dimmed the crystal
lenses of her spectaclcs.
81 had somehow set my heart on
Kitty Bruce" she added II liked
her so much, when she came down to
her uncles's visiting. She Is just the
bright, sparkling sort of girl Bob
ought to have for wife. On, dear!
why can't he see things as he
should 2"
"But you will 60 to the wedding ?"
mo, l shall do nothing Of the
sort. don't want to expose myself
to be criticised by those stuck-up
Wylies. l am not obliged to marry
Leonora because Robert Lathrop
does !"
Every woman to her own taste"
shrewdly laughed the old gentleman.
"But you will at least write con-
gratulatory letter to the bride 2"
mo. shant," said Mrs. Lathrop,
emphaticaIIy. l don't like her, and
| can't be a hypocrite to say that |
do. Bob knows my mind on the sub
ject, and that is quite enough !"
my dear,' eaid Mr.. Lathrop, "do
you know that looks good deal like
prejudice?''
"Prejudice, indeed" said his wife,
her pink cap ribbons bristling with
Indignation. TITS common sense
that's what it is-and so Bob will
find to his cost one of these days !"
1t was several weeks after this
memorable conversation that Mr..
Lathrop came back from the post
Office with a twinkle in his eyes and
a smile upon his face.
"Deborah," said he, "get the best
bedroom ready for company, and
let's have out the incest cheese for
tea"
"Why who is coming?"
"Bob's wife !"
Mrs. Lathrop's countenance be-
came elongated.
"Then he's married, after all, and
never let us know"
"Well, you can't blame the poor
fellow, can you:" said her husband,
"after all the cold water you flung
over him and his ideas ~
81 won't have her in the house" "
said Mrs. LathrOpe, resolutely.
eyes, you will, Debbie, when you
hear who it is that's coming! It's
Kittyw
Mrs. Lathrop's clOuded brow clear
ed up as radiantly as May morn
ing.
"Then it's Kitty Bruce he has
married after all. Dear mel why
didn't he let US know? But it's just
like one of Bob's rogueish tricks"
"She'll be here in the evening
train, she and a friend," said Mr..
Lathrop. "Bob is Unexpectedly de.
tanned by business that may take him
down to Alabama before it is settled,
and he thought his mothers house
would be the best place for his BRIDE
during his absence"
"And he was right" cried Mrs.
Lathrop. "BOb's wife! Why it seems
only yesterday he was toddIlng about
the do6r-stone in pink calico frock.
Dear, dear, how time does fly ~